Honnen Equipment understands that emissions regulations are having a growing impact on you, the contractor. Terms such as Tier 4, interim Tier 4, non-attainment and in-use regulations are becoming part of our vocabulary. Emissions regulations continue to change and new regulations continue to be created. The information below will review the emissions, and why these things are important to all of us.

John Deere Diesel Evolution Through the Tiers

You are probably most familiar with the new engine standards. For off-road applications, the first milestone or Tier 1 for diesel engines over 50 hp was phased in the beginning of 1996 and has had planned, stepped reductions every 3-4 years…, at least for the moment, with Final Tier 4/Stage 4 in the years of 2013 through 2015.

From the first to the Final Tier 4 engines, John Deere has adopted new technologies that satisfy emissions regulations without sacrificing performance.

Deere has combined innovative engine design and new technology to improve fuel economy and performance while meeting emissions regulations.

John Deere engines are the right solution for Interim Tier 4

John Deere was the first manufacturer to choose cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) technologies. This was introduced with Tier 3/Stage IIIA emissions regulations and proved their performance in off-highway applications.

With a proven Tier 3 technology foundation, John Deere added an easy-to-maintain, high-uptime exhaust filter system, without the need for a second fluid to meet Interim Tier 4/Stake IIIB standard.

Exhaust Filter System Cleaning and Servicing

IT4 engines use elevated heat levels that lower emissions by eliminating soot. Ash is collected in an exhaust filter, which is designed to be self-cleaning – it automatically cleans itself during normal machine operation. This on-board process known as regeneration oxidizes soot collected inside the DPF. When the monitor indicates the need for operator action, follow the step-by-step instructions on the monitor and in the operator’s manual for exhaust filter cleaning.

Scheduled maintenance to remove accumulated ash is a key system-health component of your IT4 exhaust filter. This process is needed less frequently and involves exchanging your filter for a clean one. After extensive testing, John Deere has confirmed that their PowerTech IT4 engines at or above 175 hp can go up to 15,000 hours between Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) ash removals. What does this mean for your fleet? Less downtime and more efficiency on the job site.

Final Tier 4 Technologies

To meet stringent Final Tier 4/Stage IV standards, John Deere is rebuilding on the IT4 solution with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to deliver the best blend of performance, efficiency, and reliability.

The John Deere Integrated Emissions Control system optimizes the use of various technologies designed to meet the unique needs of off-highway equipment.

Their approach is simple. It uses cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for NOx reduction and an integrated exhaust filter for particulate matter (PM) reduction. It is simple to install, operate, and maintain while delivering the power, fuel efficiency, reliability, and low cost of ownership you’ve come to expect from John Deere.

Existing-Machine Solutions - Repower & Retrofit

When you need to meet local emissions requirements and bid specifications, Honnen Equipment can help you make choices based on your specific needs.Local emissions requirements can change over time, so contact our Customer Support Representatives to understand the current requirements and develop strategies to meet them.

Need to calculate your Machine’s Emissions Footprint?Download* the Fleet Average Calculator for Large Fleets, Courtesy of the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

*requires Microsoft Excel.

Additional Resources

The John Deere Emissions Hub provides technology updates, business resources and news on emissions standards for off-road vehicles.